Hawaii Nursing Schools And Programs

Hawaii nurses earn some of the highest wages in the country, and the state's NCLEX-RN pass rate runs above the national average. This guide covers accredited nursing programs in Hawaii, how to get licensed, and what the pay and job outlook look like.

Nursing Schools in Hawaii

Hawaii has nine ADN and BSN programs and two advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) programs. The average NCLEX-RN pass rate across the state is 91.3%, above the national rate of 86.6%. Every program below is accredited.

UH Hilo, one of the University of Hawai'i system's ten campuses, offers bachelor's and doctoral nursing degrees with an emphasis on rural and transcultural care. The four-year BSN opens with two years of general education and prerequisites; students apply for formal admission in the third year. An RN-to-BSN option runs one year.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Hilo
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)
• Tuition: $306 per credit (residents); $846 per credit (out-of-state)
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 2.7 GPA
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 73.5%
• Median earnings two years after graduation: $72,357 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)

UH Mānoa, established in 1907, is the oldest and largest campus in the system. Its school of nursing confers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. The BSN offers a four-year direct-entry path for high school graduates and a three-year plan for current UH Mānoa, transfer, and veteran students.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Honolulu
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
• Tuition: $471 per credit (residents); $1,389 per credit (out-of-state); $707 per credit (Pacific Island Jurisdiction and Western Undergraduate Exchange)
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 3.0 GPA
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 100%
• Median earnings two years after graduation: $70,710 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)

Chaminade University, the only Catholic university in Hawai'i and a federally designated Native Hawaiian-serving institution, offers a 132-credit direct-entry BSN for first-year and transfer students, plus a 24-month accelerated BSN for those who have finished prerequisites.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Honolulu
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $34,294 per year
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, minimum 2.5 GPA, written statement, letters of recommendation
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 85.3%
• Median earnings two years after graduation: $62,343 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)

Hawai'i Pacific University, one of the most culturally diverse schools in the country, offers a four-year BSN along with LPN/LVN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, and a hospital-corpsman-to-BSN path for veterans, plus online and onsite graduate degrees.

• Program: Bachelor of science in nursing
• Campus: Honolulu
• Type: Private
• Accreditation: CCNE
• Tuition: $18,660 per semester
• Admission requirements: High school diploma or equivalent, official transcripts, list of extracurricular activities, personal statement
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 86.7%
• Median earnings two years after graduation: $64,990 (bachelor's, College Scorecard)

UH Maui College, founded in 1931, offers an associate of science in nursing that transfers into UH Mānoa's BSN. Students can also exit at the practical nurse level with a certificate of achievement.

• Program: Associate of science in nursing
• Campus: Kahului
• Type: Public
• Accreditation: ACEN
• Tuition: $131 to $306 per credit (residents); $345 to $846 per credit (out-of-state); $197 to $459 per credit (Pacific Island Jurisdiction and Western Undergraduate Exchange)
• Admission requirements: Hawai'i resident, minimum C average, completed prerequisites, TEAS scores
• NCLEX-RN pass rate: 90.2%
• Median earnings two years after graduation: $61,020 (associate, College Scorecard)

How to Choose a Nursing Program in Hawaii

Weigh cost and financial aid, the school's NCLEX-RN pass rate, admission requirements and acceptance rate, and the program logistics. If you plan to study online, confirm you can find local clinical placement.

Why Become a Nurse in Hawaii

Hawaii is the most expensive state to live in, with a cost-of-living index of 185.6, nearly double the national mark of 100. Pay reflects that. The average RN salary is about $104,830 and the average NP salary about $118,780, both above the national RN median of $93,600 and the national NP median of roughly $129,000 (BLS).

Demand stays high, driven by an aging population and Hawaii's appeal as a retirement destination. Faculty shortages at the state's nursing schools limit how many graduates the pipeline can produce, which keeps openings available.

Steps to Becoming a Nurse in Hawaii

Every nurse must graduate from an approved program, pass the relevant national exam, and clear a criminal background check. If you fail the NCLEX-RN three times, in Hawaii or any other state, you must complete a 60-hour remedial course before retaking it.

RN Requirements

Graduate from an ADN or BSN program and pass the NCLEX-RN. To apply, send the state board a copy of a government ID and your Social Security card, have your school send a sealed transcript, and submit fingerprints for a background check. Applications generally take 45 to 60 working days to process.

APRN Requirements

You need a current RN license, an MSN or DNP, and board certification in your specialty. Send a sealed official transcript, a copy of your Social Security card, and a government ID to the state board. Hawaii grants APRNs full practice authority.